THE MOST PERFECT OF PENS.

Reader: Have you seen the

It is a Collection which no one who loves music should fail to own; it should find a place in every home. Never before, it may truthfully be said, has a song book been published at once so cheap, so good, and so complete.—Colorado Springs Gazette.

This Song Collection is one of the most notable enterprises of the kind attempted by any publisher. The brief sketches and histories of the leading productions in the work add greatly to the value of the series.—Troy Times.

Sold Everywhere. Price, 50 cents; Cloth, $1.00. Full contents, with Specimen Pages mailed, without cost, on application to

Harper & Brothers, New York.

This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our maps and tours contain many valuable data kindly supplied from the official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen. Recognising the value of the work being done by the L.A.W. the Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership blanks and information so far as possible.

One of the best trips in New England is to start from Hartford, Connecticut, run out through the northwestern corner of the State into Massachusetts, through Great Barrington, Lenox, and Pittsfield, and either to Springfield or back to Hartford or to the Hudson River. It is one of the best routes in the Berkshire Hills, and though there are some severe climbs, the varied scenery, the attractive towns, and the good roads make up for the few hills that must be walked. This route we shall give in the next two weeks.

Leaving Hartford at the City Hall, run along Main Street, and follow the car tracks upwards of half a mile. At Albany Avenue turn to the left, and you will find the road direct to Talcott in good condition and with few hills, until you have passed Hartford Reservoir No. 2, where there is a steep climb over the hill by Talcott and down into Avon. It is impossible to ride this hill, and you must walk about half a mile. Unless you are somewhat used to riding, you are strongly advised to walk down part of the hill to Avon, though with great care it may be ridden. Cross the railroad at Avon, and run direct five miles to Canton. There are a few hills along this part of the road, but as the road-bed is in fairly good condition they can all be easily ridden.

At Canton bear to the left and cross Farmington River, turning to the right and running up the west bank close by the railroad into New Hartford, always following the river and the railroad, sometimes between the two and sometimes to the west of the path. Turn finally, after passing Greenwood Pond, to the left of the fork, keeping to the railroad and leaving the river. There are one or two pretty steep hills here. Pleasant Valley, through which you pass next, is easy riding, and Winsted is soon reached. From Winsted to Canaan is very hilly in parts, and the rider is advised to walk up many of the hills. Leaving Long Lake on the left, follow the railroad out to Colebrook; then keep to the right at the fork, through Mill Brook—where there are some bad hills around Burr Mountain—leaving Bigelow Pond on the right, to the depot at Norfolk. Turn to the right at Norfolk, run out by Mill Pond, and take the left fork, running along the valley through West Norfolk to East Canaan, where, crossing the railroad, bear to the left, and follow the railroad itself into Canaan, crossing it once more before entering the town. Canaan is a somewhat extensive town, and there are good accommodations for the night. The distance is forty-one miles from Hartford.

Note.—Map of New York city asphalted streets in No. 809. Map of route from New York to Tarrytown in No. 810. New York to Stamford, Connecticut, in No. 811. New York to Staten Island in No. 812. New Jersey from Hoboken to Pine Brook in No. 813. Brooklyn in No. 814. Brooklyn to Babylon in No. 815. Brooklyn to Northport in No. 816. Tarrytown to Poughkeepsie in No. 817. Poughkeepsie to Hudson in No. 818. Hudson to Albany in No. 819. Tottenville to Trenton in No. 820. Trenton to Philadelphia in No. 821. Philadelphia in No. 822. Philadelphia-Wissahickon Route in No. 823. Philadelphia to West Chester in No. 824. Philadelphia to Atlantic City—First Stage in No. 825; Second Stage in No. 826. Philadelphia to Vineland—First Stage in No. 827; Second Stage in No. 828. New York to Boston—Second Stage in No. 829; Third Stage in No. 830; Fourth Stage in No. 831; Fifth Stage in No. 832; Sixth Stage in No. 833. Boston to Concord in No. 834. Boston in No. 835. Boston to Gloucester in No. 836. Boston to Newburyport in No. 837. Boston to New Bedford in No. 838. Boston to South Framingham in No. 839. Boston to Nahant in No. 840. Boston to Lowell in No. 841. Boston to Nantasket Beach in No. 842. Boston Circuit Ride in No. 843. Philadelphia to Washington—First Stage in No. 844; Second Stage in No. 845; Third Stage in No. 846; Fourth Stage in No. 847; Fifth Stage in No. 848. City of Washington in No. 849. City of Albany in No. 854; Albany to Fonda in No 855; Fonda to Utica in No. 856; Utica to Syracuse in No. 857; Syracuse to Lyons in No. 858; Lyons to Rochester in No. 859: Rochester to Batavia in No. 860; Batavia to Buffalo in No. 861; Poughkeepsie to Newtown in No. 864; Newtown to Hartford in No. 865; New Haven to Hartford in No. 866; Hartford to Springfield in No. 867.

This Department is conducted in the interest of Girls and Young Women, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor.

Yes, my dears, I agree with you that the weather is warm. It was cold not so very long ago; and whether cold or whether warm, we must take it as it comes. To complain about the weather, to fret over it, to fuss and to fidget, and make everybody else as well as ourselves uncomfortable in consequence, is very stupid.

I have generally found that the heat or the cold, the wet weather or the dry, the windy or the cloudy day, affected me very little if I went calmly on and made the best of it. One's work should occupy one's thoughts and hands so fully that one has no time to be troubled about surroundings of atmosphere. The busy girl is happier than the indolent girl for the reason that her mind is taken up with something worth while.

A little caution about fans. Don't fan so vigorously that you put yourself into a heat by the exertion. Never fan the back of your friend's neck if you are sitting behind her. Fan with a gentle steady motion, so that waves of air strike your own face, but not so that you send icy shivers down your neighbor's spine.

On a very sultry day nothing is gained by drinking a great deal of ice-water. The more one drinks, the more thirsty one grows. A little water held in the mouth a moment, and allowed to trickle slowly down the throat, will relieve thirst more effectually than a gobletful hastily tossed off.

I wonder if my girls are careful, in these sultry days, of the comfort of their pets? The dog and cat grow thirsty, and cannot help themselves, as we can. The little singing-bird droops if it has not fresh water for its bath and in its drinking-cup. Pets are a dear delight, but they must be looked after every day, and whoever undertakes the responsibility of making their little lives happy must have them on her mind. It is surprising to watch the growth of intelligence in birds when they are daily and lovingly cared for. Of course we expect intelligence in the dog and the cat, but the bird seems less responsive; yet nobody who loves a canary or a parrot, or any other caged though contented captive, will fail to see its wonderful powers if it is cared for gently.

The question comes up every summer, how shall we best keep our homes cool during the sultry part of the day? Shall we close them and shut out the heat, or simply darken them and allow the air to come in? My way has been to open every window, both at the top and at the bottom, early in the morning, flooding the house with the sweet cool air. Then, about ten o'clock, or earlier, close the windows, except for a few inches at the bottom, and fasten shutters and blinds so that they will not fly open. Darken every room which you are not using until the sun goes down. But do not sit to read, sew, or practise in the dark. Your eyes need plenty of light. When you go into the darkened rooms, do so to rest, not to work.

Lottie and Carrie ask if I like flowers on the table. Why, certainly. Flowers should always form a part of the table decoration, and one does not need a great many. A few roses in a bowl, a bunch of white pinks with some green leaves, daisies with their glory of white and gold, ferns, whatever you can most conveniently obtain at the moment, will adorn your table well. Only bear in mind that withering, dying flowers are an offence, and not a pleasure. You must have your flowers fresh every day, and the daughter of the house is the one who should attend to this, relieving her mother of every thought on the subject.

Margaret E. Sangster.